Top gadgets of CES 2013

Even before the dust of CES 2013 has settled in the desert city of Las Vegas, publications such as Cnet, The Verge, and IGN announced their awards for the best gadgetry on display at the show.

Cnet’s well-known “Best of CES” awards haven’t been without controversy this year, with the publication’s parent company CBS stepping in to block a potential award for the Dish Hopper.

Dish’s new digital video recorder is apparently able to automatically detect and skip advertisements in recorded video, which CBS said violates copyright laws.

At the bottom of the page announcing their “Best of CES Award” winners Cnet explained their position in a brief statement:

The Dish Hopper with Sling was removed from consideration due to active litigation involving our parent company CBS Corp. We will no longer be reviewing products manufactured by companies with which we are in litigation with respect to such product.

Controversy aside, the show (and all the awards that go with it) must go on. These are Cnet’s “Best of CES Award” winners for CES 2013:

Cnet’s Best of CES Awards

Best of Show: Razer Edge

Summarising the reasons for choosing the device as the best of the show, Cnet’s Scott Stein and Rich Brown wrote:

“The Razer Edge will not only influence gaming, but it also sets an example for the rapidly evolving PC and tablet market. For advancing ideas across industry segments, the Razer Edge is the Best of CES for 2013.”

Car tech: Chevrolet MyLink 2nd generation

The 2014 Chevy Impala will boast an interface that has smartphone-inspired features.

Chevorlet MyLink 2 interface

Emerging Tech: 3D Systems CubeX

A 3D printer that can make objects in up to 3 different colours and 2 different plastics.

3D Systems CubeX promo banner

Gaming: Razer Edge

As the “Best of Show” winner, it’s no surprise that the Razer Edge gets another mention in the gaming category.

Home theatre and audio: Vizio 5.2 soundbar

Cnet remarks that it’s not the first sound bar that offers surround sound via wireless rear speakers, but Vizio includes a remote with a built-in display, while being priced right at $330.

Vizio S4251W

Mobile: YotaPhone

Half e-reader, half smartphone, the YotaPhone offers two different displays on the front and back of the device to conserve battery life. On the front is a normal power-hungry full-colour LCD while the back of the device features a monochromatic e-ink display.

YotaPhone

Networking and storage: Seagate Wireless Plus

A 1TB drive that lets up to 8 clients download or upload content to it wirelessly. Claims a 10 hour battery life.

Seagate Wireless Plus – image courtesy of Cnet

PCs and tablets: Lenovo IdeaCentre Horizon 27

An all-in-one PC that can lie flat and has a battery built-in.

Lenovo IdeaCentre Horizon Table

TVs: Samsung UN85S9 4K/UHD TV

Although every TV manufacturer worth its salt was punting 4K technology at CES this year, Cnet selected Samsung’s offering for its design as much as the technology that powers it.

Samsung easel-mounted ultra HD TV with model

Wearable and health tech: Fitbit Flex

An activity tracker meant to be worn all day and monitor movement, sleep, and calories burned.

Fitbit Flex

The Verge and IGN weigh in

As far as TVs were concerned there was little debate that Samsung’s easel-mounted 4K Ultra HD TVs were the winners of CES 2013.

The Verge and IGN had different opinions to Cnet when it came to the best phone and tablet of the show, however.

They chose the Sony Xperia Z as their best phone of CES 2013, while Vizio’s tablets won out over the Razer Edge and Lenovo IdeaCentre.

Sony Xperia Z hands-on

IGN went with the 11.6-inch Windows 8 Vizio tablet PC, while The Verge chose the 10-inch Android from the same company as its favourite tablet of the show. Both publications gave Panasonic’s 20-inch 4K ultra HD tablet an honourable mention.

Another device mentioned by both IGN and The Verge that didn’t crack the nod on Cnet was the Oculus Rift – an evolution of the virtual reality headset that never gained much traction.

While no launch date or pricing was announced for the Oculus Rift, The Verge called it “the most revolutionary gaming experience we’ve seen in years”. IGN lavished it with similar praise, saying that it offered “some the most compelling virtual reality experiences we’ve ever encountered”.